Ahead of the US midterm elections scheduled for November 3, 2026, one of the country's most influential ultra-conservative influencers, Laura Loomer, in an exclusive interview with RBC-Ukraine, commented on key nodes of the American-Ukrainian-Russian triangle: the so-called "diesel deal" between Washington and Moscow, the public conflict between Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and the internal dynamics of the MAGA movement. Loomer, who has been in close communication with the US President for two years and is among his closest public supporters, holds a special position in this context: her views on Ukraine have undergone a radical transformation, making her statements an indicator of shifts within the very core of the conservative electorate.
From Russian Narratives to a Visit to Kyiv
Until the summer of 2026, Loomer, like much of the MAGA movement, consistently promoted positions critical of Ukraine and, by her own admission, became a "victim of Russian propaganda." The turning point was her visit to Kyiv: the journalist personally inspected the aftermath of Russian shelling, held meetings with top Ukrainian officials and military personnel, and recorded an interview with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, which, according to her, went viral. "After that, my pro-Ukrainian position only strengthened," she summarized in a conversation with RBC-Ukraine. Notably, after publishing the interview with Zelenskyy, Loomer communicated with Trump himself, who, she said, forwarded the recording to Zelenskyy while Loomer was in Ukraine.
The "Diesel Deal" and the October Crisis
A central episode analyzed by Loomer in the interview is the October crisis in relations between Washington and Kyiv, provoked, in her phrasing, by the "diesel fuel deal" with Russia, sharp public criticism of Zelenskyy by Trump, and issues surrounding intelligence data and Starlink. Loomer explicitly stated that she criticized the actual easing of anti-Russian sanctions, yet refrained from directly criticizing the actions of the US President himself. "Zelenskyy could have been more restrained in his responses," she noted, while emphasizing that "the blame for the continuation of the Russian-Ukrainian war lies squarely on Putin, who does not want peace and effectively despises the efforts of the White House." Loomer also pointed to a specific episode: Russian forces blew up an airport in Kyiv at the very moment special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner were in Moscow meeting with Putin and unable to fly to Kyiv.
Trump, a "Lame Duck," and Campaign Promises
Speaking about Washington's motives, Loomer referred to Trump's 2024 campaign promise to end the war "on day one." "We have been with the Trump administration for almost two years now, and there are only a few days left before very important, defining midterms that will determine whether Donald Trump is a 'lame duck' president in the final two years of his administration," she said. In her assessment, the president is "clearly disappointed by the lack of progress" and is trying to "bring both Zelenskyy and Vladimir Putin to the negotiating table." At the same time, Loomer expressed the opinion that Zelenskyy "is much more willing and agreeable to making a deal," whereas, according to her, Moscow "sends its puppeteers every week to promote propaganda in the American media" and shows no respect for the Trump administration.
MAGA Against Any Transfers — and Not Just for Ukraine
Answering the question of whether Ukraine is the sole subject within the MAGA conflict, Loomer provided a broader context: "I don't think it is focused exclusively on Ukraine. The MAGA movement as a whole is categorically opposed to providing any additional funds to any country." She also drew attention to the fact that "quite a few American podcasters — from both the right and the left flanks — are quite obviously supported by Russia," which, in her opinion, strengthens the influence of Moscow's narratives in the American media space. These comments, by her own admission, regularly provoke fierce disputes with other representatives of the MAGA movement.
What November 3 Will Change
The midterm elections on November 3, 2026, according to Loomer's assessment, will be "defining" for the second half of Trump's presidential term. The balance of power in Congress will directly affect the White House's ability to advance the negotiation line on Ukraine, maintain or, conversely, ease sanctions pressure on Russia, and determine the volume of further military and financial support for Kyiv. For Ukraine, as follows from the interview's logic, the election outcome is critical: if the Republican majority maintains its course toward a "deal" with Moscow, a key factor will be Zelenskyy's readiness for compromises, while if control over one of the chambers shifts, it will likely increase pressure on the Trump administration demanding a tougher stance. Loomer, whose audience spans millions of conservative voters, acts in this sense not just as an observer, but as one of the shapers of the agenda within the core electorate, whose votes will largely determine the outcome of the vote.
